Taking psychotropic medication is a personal decision.
You may be hesitant about it, worried about the side effects, or filled with questions.
You might have already tried certain prescriptions but did not respond well or didn’t feel like yourself while taking them.
Or maybe you are looking for guidance on the best treatment options for you.
Research shows that combining medication with counseling generally leads to improved outcomes. But many variables may play a role—your symptoms, health history, lifestyle, support system, therapy modality, and commitment to the process.
The key to choosing the right treatment is personalizing it to your whole being, needs, and goals.
Lifespan Counseling Omaha offers medication management and other therapy services to individuals of all ages living in Omaha and its nearby areas. We provide comprehensive, client-centered mental health care, including assessments, counseling, and prescription administration.
We will partner with you to prepare a treatment plan that suits you—whether that involves taking medication or not.
If you are searching for a one-stop shop for counseling and medication support or considering taking medication for the first time, we can help.
Call us at 402-575-5577 or contact us to book a consultation.
What Is Medication Management?
Medication management addresses your pharmaceutical needs to support your mental health. It includes thorough evaluations, guidance, psychotropic prescriptions, monitoring, and treatment recommendations tailored to your situation.
Medication management can be administered by a primary care physician, psychiatrist, and, in our case, a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP). Psychiatric nurse practitioners are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) certified to assess, diagnose, treat, and prescribe medication for various mental, behavioral, and emotional problems.
What Are Prescription Psychotropics or Psychotropic Medications?
While some challenges can be navigated with therapy alone, others may call for an integration of counseling and prescription psychotropics.
Prescription psychotropics are medications used to treat different mental health symptoms and conditions. They can help you balance the neurotransmitters in your brain to manage your mood, thoughts, and behaviors.
Standard prescription psychotropics include:
Anti-anxiety medication or anxiolytics: Used to address symptoms of anxiety and anxiety disorders (e.g., generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, phobias, social anxiety disorder).
Antidepressants: Mainly used to treat depression but can also be prescribed for anxiety, insomnia, and pain.
Antipsychotics: Aim to alleviate psychosis, psychotic depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and dementia symptoms.
Mood stabilizers: Used to manage bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder (BPD), schizoaffective disorder, depression, and severe mood fluctuations caused by other conditions.
Stimulants: Prescribed to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), narcolepsy, and significant focus issues.
As with any medication, prescribed psychotropics may have side effects (e.g., drowsiness, dizziness, sleep problems). Our mental health professionals will walk you through the types of medications available and their risks to help you make an informed decision about your treatment.
Do You Need Medication?
Common mental health challenges that may benefit from medication include:
Anger
Anxiety
Autism and developmental disabilities
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Behavioral problems
Bipolar disorder
Borderline personality disorder (BPD)
Depression
Mood swings
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Schizoaffective disorder
Schizophrenia
Sleep disorders (e.g., insomnia)
And more
If you or someone in your family is living with any of these conditions or struggling with debilitating symptoms, medication may be an option.
To get an assessment and determine whether you need medication as part of your treatment, book a consultation with us.
How Does Medication Management Work and How Can It Help?
Medication management can help you relieve distressing symptoms and complement counseling.
Like therapy, we will start with a consultation to discuss your issues and what you hope to achieve. We will explain our medication management process and address your questions.
Then, you will move on to these stages:
1) Assessment
We will perform a comprehensive evaluation to examine your symptoms and how they impact your functioning. This may involve testing, questionnaires, a review of your medical history, and interviews with family members. The goal is to obtain an accurate diagnosis that provides clear answers for a treatment plan.
If you already have a diagnosis, we can revisit it and conduct additional evaluations as needed.
2) Medication + Treatment Plan
We will develop a treatment plan, including medication, counseling, and/or other alternatives. This plan will incorporate specific medication options to help manage your symptoms or condition(s), dosage instructions, possible side effects, and more.
If you are transferring your medication care to us, we will review your progress and adjust your treatment as appropriate.
Remember, the choice is yours. We will make evidence-based recommendations to ensure you have everything you need to take the next steps in your healing.
3) Monitoring
If you decide to take medication, we will schedule regular follow-ups to check how you respond to it and make changes as required. If you want to come off your prescription, we can speak about the implications and how to do it safely.
We are here for you every step of the way. You can reach out to us to share your questions and concerns anytime.
Medication Management at Lifespan Counseling Omaha
Lifespan Counseling Omaha combines clinical excellence and responsive care to serve individuals across the lifespan. We offer medication management services, one-on-one therapy, family therapy, and group therapy to people in Omaha, Gretna, and Elkhorn (and across Nebraska via telehealth).
Janet Bock, our psychiatric nurse practitioner, offers medication management for children, teens, and adults. She specializes in various conditions, including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorders 1 and 2, schizophrenia, ADHD, sleep disorders, and more. Her knowledge, client experience, and compassionate approach allow her to treat your whole self to find lasting relief.
Janet will meet you where you are, whether you want to understand your options, try different prescriptions, or explore medication for the first time. She will assess your symptoms, provide suggestions, and refer you to our talented therapists as needed.
Medication management visits can be scheduled online or in person. We want to facilitate a smooth, accessible, and responsive process without waitlists or delays.
Start Medication Management Today
Get the support you need to embark on an easeful medication journey.
Call 402-575-5577 or contact us to book a medication management consultation.